Michigan winters can be long and cold. You hope that you will never get stranded, but it is best to be prepared just in case. As you navigate the winter roads, make sure you keep the following items in your car.
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Tire Chains
One of the biggest problems with winter is that you never know what to expect. You can leave for work in the morning with little to no snow on the ground and then by the time you leave work, the roads are covered in ice and you are stuck. Keeping tire chains in your trunk can improve your car’s traction, allowing you to maneuver through the toughest of snow or ice.
Additional items that could help you when you are stuck include a shovel, a bag of sand, or even a bag of cat litter. These items can give you temporary traction so you can get out of a stuck position.
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Jumper Cables
Jumper cables can come in handy when an especially cold morning prevents your car battery from starting. Overnight, when the temperatures drop below freezing, it’s more difficult for the battery to hold its charge. By morning, even after the temperatures have begun to warm up a little, your battery may not be able to start your engine. Keeping jumper cables gives you the tool needed to get you back on the road.
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Extra Cell Phone Battery
No one plans to get stranded. Unfortunately, it happens. Whether you have a flat tire or are snowed in, an extra cell phone battery that is fully charged can be very useful when you need to call for help. It can also be useful to keep a hard copy of emergency phone numbers including your roadside assistance service, your insurance company, or your emergency point of contact. Additionally, a battery-powered radio can help you monitor the weather while you wait for help.
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First Aid Kit
You never know when you might need a first aid kit. Your first aid kit should include items like band-aids, sterile bandages, creams, and gloves. You can compile your own items and create your own kit or purchase a pre-made one from the store.
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Extra Clothing and Food
Being stranded on the side of the road in the middle of winter can be cold. You and your passengers might also be hungry, depending on how long you have to wait. It’s a good idea to keep a few extra pairs of warm clothing and snow boots in the trunk. You can also store non-perishable food items and water in the event of an emergency. If you regularly drive in a rural area and might be stranded for a longer period of time, a warm sleeping bag may also be useful.
This winter, make sure you are prepared for an emergency. Keep a box in your trunk with jumper cables, a first-aid kit, tire chains, warm clothing, and an extra battery. You hope that you will never have to use these items, but if you do, you will be glad you took the time to create your emergency kit.
Image via Flickr by dsearls used under CC BY 2.0
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